JDSS December/January Newspaper

École John Diefenbaker Senior School

Take a Deep Breath.

In This Issue

Athletic Council

Boys Volleyball

Food Drive

Green Committee

Jack Chapter

Reducing Stress

School Community

SHSM Programs

From the Editor

Congratulations JDSS Students on finishing the First Semester! This newspaper is dedicated to ways that we, as students, can feel less alone and less stressed about what life may bring us Knowing there are resources and people within our community to help can improve and prepare us for what the future may bring

On a side note, if you or someone you may know is interested in helping the newspaper, please scan the QR Code on the last page!

Sincerely,

Victoria Jarvis

Reducing Stress Stress Tactics

Life can be stressful, especially during times of change - like the start of a new semester No student should struggle alone, or feel so overwhelmed that they feel there is no help Included on the page are helpful ways to help reduce stress and convenient support systems, as no student should ever feel alone

You're Never Alone...

Public Health Nurse

Located within the school, students have access to require help from a medical professional The Public Health Nurse is located beside the Guidance Office with more information posted outside of the office.

Headspace

Found on Netflix and the Appstore, Headspace offers its help in many ways

Offering meditation, sleep therapy, and mindfulness practices, this free app offers many resources.

Kids Help Phone

Free and ready to be used at your convenience, Kids Help Phone can be contacted at 1-800-668-6868 with no call charges or text ‘CONNECT’ to 686868

Connect

Joining a club, sport, class, or activity with your friend(s) can help ease stress, giving a new sense of happiness that can overcome stressful times.

Walk

Going on a 10-minute walk around the yard or down the street can help clear your mind while keeping your body physically active

Breathing

Try taking deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth, calming your body from the outside to the inside

Journal

To help process thoughts, opinions, or feelings, journaling for 5 minutes every day can set your mind free

Appetite

Make a healthy, mindboosting snack to keep focused or, have your favourite snack in moderation to reward yourself for hard work

Organize

To help productivity and accomplish tasks, organize and plan your day through a schedule

From January 11th to the 20th, the JDSS Green Committee collected E-Waste from students and the community This initiative was to help others learn about the importance of recycling Electronic Waste at no cost The items were taken to a Staples Facility where they were securely recycled.

SHSM Programs

At École John Diefenbaker Senior School, seven Specialist High Skills Major opportunities are offered for the 2023-2024 school year

Each SHSM allows students in high school to gain credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma while focusing on a specific field that can help build a career after graduation.

This two-year program is directed toward grade 11 and 12 students interested in a specific SHSM field but can be introduced to all grades

Benefits within a SHSM include;

Adjusting education to be suited to personal strengths and interests

Develop skills and knowledge that can be useful in the future.

Earn credits that post-secondary and employers will acknowledge positively

Gain training and certifications as an advantage

Be open to the different careers involved within SHSM programs.

SHSMs Avaliable at JDSS:

Construction Teacher: Glen Hayhurst

Following the Ontario Building Code, students focus on home construction, construction modelling, planning, designing, & building Many certifications are offered through the Construction SHSM These certifications include; Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, Forklift and Elevated Platforms Training

Through the Construction SHSM, students gain knowledge and skills on how to work on big and small projects that are maintained, budgeted, planned, & then built

Hospitality and Tourism

Teacher: Nancy Sayers

Providing students with the ability to join cooking and baking, travel and tourism, & food and culture courses, students can explore different career fields available with the opportunity of the Hospitality and Tourism

SHSM Within these opportunities, students are aware of the broad range and growing sector within local communities and worldwide Pairing with Georgian College, the University of Guelph, & community businesses, students are not limited to learning and are encouraged to expand their knowledge.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Teachers: Brad Bailey & Hillary Weppler

ICT mainly focuses on theoretical and practical experiences through computer systems, software, & digital media Keeping up with advancing technology, ICT is essential in many industries Including programming, electronics, robotics, information technology skills, and communication & graphic skills, ICT has a variety of career opportunities suited to an individual's preference

Pictured is the ICT SHSM on a field trip to Kitchener where students visited Conestoga College and the University of Waterloo

Manufacturing

Teacher: Tim Wise

Advancing in personal interests such as machining, welding, woodworking, automotive, and robotics, students can pursue knowledge in their interests By gaining certifications similar to one that is acquired in the industry, students can feel like they are one step ahead if they choose to work in a similar industry or continue into trade schooling With the necessary skills and experiences being achievable within the SHSM, JDSS can support and provide students with tours of local manufacturing businesses and programs are provided

Non-Profit: Community Action SHSM

Teacher: Rob Lessard

Now offered at JDSS, the Non-Profit: Community Action is built of three different areas including Education, Non-Profit, & French as a Second Language The Education sector provides soft and hard skills that are helpful in becoming a successful Teacher, EA, ECE, or Day Care The Non-Profit is for those who inspire to become a Social Worker, Writer-Author, Receptionist, and Charity Planner French as a Second Language helps students in French Sectors who would like to maintain or achieve a greater understanding of FSL Students can then focus on a certain area where their interests are suited

Transportation

Teacher: Joel Officer

Transportation introduces students to a range of auto services, agriculture, recreational equipment, & heavy equipment. Students learn about different types of transportation and where they take place, such as air, water, rail, road, cable, pipeline, & space

Food Drive

From December 6th to December 16th, Mr Hiltz and his K-Science Class organized and maintained the yearly JDSS Food Drive Recognizing the importance of nutritious food needed within the community, it was the perfect time to host the Food Drive before Christmas Many families struggle, especially around the Holidays, due to the rising cost of inflation where JDSS could help by collecting hygiene and food items With an open heart and eager students, Mr. Hiltz and the class collected, sorted and packed almost 2050 items that were donated to the Salvation Army in Hanover

To encourage participation a class pizza party would be awarded to the class with the most items donated during the food drive Ms Weppler's CommTech class were crowned the winners having donated 239 items to the food drive! To sweeten the deal Ms Weppler also awarded her class a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake! The pizza party was held on the last day of school before winter break and was enjoyed by all

Contribution from: Mr. Hiltz

Pictured From Left to Right in the K-Science Class: Mr Hiltz, Braidon Fidler, Jack Quenneville, Ashton Bradshaw, Josh VonHatten, Dominic Allen, Zach Quenneville, and Cole Finlay

Elementary Boys Volleyball Victory

With a final score of 26-24, the JDSS Elementary Boys Volleyball team is headed to the BESC Tournament on January 30th! Playing in the area schools tournament in Durham hosted by Spruce Ridge Community School, JDSS took the lead against their hosting opponents Winning the tournament and now playing for the title of Bluewater Champions, coach, Ms Gilkinson has managed a great team!

Annemijn Nusselder

Annemijn was able to come prepared and ready for the season with amazing blocks and attacks Always showing up with a great attitude, she is a proud member of the team!

Grade:

Height:

Favourite Sport: Favourite Colour:

Future Career:

11 5'8" Volleyball Blue Prosthetist

Athlete of the Month Athletic Council

Contribution from: Braden Bartlett

Looking ahead to the new semester, on February 9th and 10th, the Athletic Council will host an OFSSA Try Day On this day, students are welcome and are encouraged to come and try spike ball FOR FREE at school!

Stay tuned for Vinyl Sticker sales and Basketball Intramurals through March

More information will be available soon!

Pictured is the JDSS Winning Team from the Spruce Ridge Tournament From Left to Right, Back to Front: Blake Howes, Vincent Dehaas, Erik Frook, Michael Maloney, Bryson Bieman, Logan Lawrence, Chas Nieuwenhoff, Liam Stanley, Drew Corriveau, Kole Kanters, Justin Masse, & Chase Brown

Jack Chapter

As part of our Ease Into Exams program, Jack Chapter planned lunchtime events January 23 to 25 Monday, there was free cookie decorating Tuesday, there was music, giveaways, and games in the cafetorium And Wednesday, there were therapy dog teams that visited from St John Ambulance

Bell Let's Talk

Bell Let’s Talk Day was January 25, and JDSS joined in again this year!

This year’s campaign highlighted ways we can all create meaningful change for mental health and take action by doing one or more of the following:

•Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support

•Help a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them

•Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health

•Nurture your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies

•Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health

•Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma

Everyone was encouraged to wear blue on the day to show support for all those who live with mental illness and those taking action to help them Another way they were encouraged to show support was by taking a picture in front of the backdrop Jack Chapter set up and by posting the picture on social media

Students are reminded that if they need someone to talk to, our teachers, counsellors, and principals are here to listen They can also text or call Kids Help Phone 24/7

Together, we can create positive change!

Contribution from: Kaylee Lantz

Pictured are members of the Jack Chapter From Left to Right: Lexi Franks, Kaylee Lantz, Victoria Jarvis, Kaia Kennedy, Ava Pentland, & Sada Bell

JOHN DIEFENBAKER SENIOR SCHOOL

Contributors

Braden Bartlett, Kaylee Lantz, Annemijn Nusselder, Mr Hiltz, Mr Lessard, Ms Gilkinson, Ms McCutchon, Ms Walker, Ms Weber,

Special thank you to Ms. Weppler, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Riddick, Mrs. Bender, & JDSS Administrative Staff for making the newspaper successful.